Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Development Coordinator – California Chapter

at Parkinson's Foundation

🏢 About Parkinson's Foundation

The Parkinson's Foundation is a mission-driven nonprofit dedicated to improving the lives of people with Parkinson’s disease through care and research. By joining their California Chapter, you'll work alongside a passionate team committed to advancing toward a cure, with a focus on community engagement and impactful events.

About This Role

As Senior Development Coordinator, you'll lead peer-to-peer fundraising events like Moving Day and Parkinson’s Revolution, recruiting participants and sponsors while managing logistics. Your work directly fuels revenue for life-changing programs and research, making a tangible difference for the Parkinson’s community in California.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day might start with checking event registrations and following up with team captains via email. You could then meet with vendors to finalize logistics for an upcoming Moving Day, update sponsor tracking in Raiser’s Edge, and wrap up by planning a social media post to recruit participants.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who Parkinson's Foundation Is Looking For

  • A self-starter with 2+ years in nonprofit fundraising or event planning, experienced in managing peer-to-peer campaigns and meeting revenue targets.
  • Detail-oriented and goal-focused, with proven ability to juggle multiple events, track expenses, and steward relationships with sponsors and participants.
  • Tech-savvy with proficiency in Raiser’s Edge or similar CRM, Microsoft Office, and social media to drive engagement and track performance.
  • Willing to travel within California and work flexible hours including evenings/weekends for events, and capable of lifting 20 lbs for event setup.

📝 Tips for Applying to Parkinson's Foundation

1

Highlight specific experience with peer-to-peer fundraising events (e.g., walkathons, cycling events) and quantify revenue growth or participant numbers.

2

Tailor your resume to emphasize event logistics skills—mention vendor management, permits, and expense tracking with concrete examples.

3

Show your familiarity with Parkinson’s Foundation by mentioning their signature events (Moving Day, Parkinson’s Revolution) and how you can contribute to their success.

4

In your cover letter, express genuine passion for the Parkinson’s mission and connect it to your personal or professional experiences.

5

Ensure your application demonstrates ability to work remotely and independently, with examples of self-motivation and time management.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

["Your experience in nonprofit event planning and fundraising, especially with peer-to-peer campaigns, and how you've driven revenue and participation.", 'Your ability to build relationships with participants, sponsors, and community partners to grow the event base.', 'Proficiency with CRM systems like Raiser’s Edge and data-driven approach to tracking performance.', 'Commitment to the Parkinson’s Foundation’s mission and how your skills can advance their goals in California.']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review the Parkinson’s Foundation website’s events page for Moving Day and Parkinson’s Revolution to understand event formats and goals.
  • → Read recent annual reports or impact statements to see how fundraising revenue supports research and care programs.
  • → Look up the California Chapter’s social media or news to understand current community engagement and past event successes.
  • → Familiarize yourself with the foundation’s mission, vision, and values to align your application with their culture.
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💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a time you managed a peer-to-peer fundraising event from start to finish. What was your role, and what were the results?
2 How do you prioritize tasks when managing multiple events simultaneously with tight deadlines?
3 Share an example of how you recruited sponsors or participants for an event. What strategies worked?
4 How do you use data (e.g., from Raiser’s Edge or Excel) to track event performance and improve future outcomes?
5 This role requires travel and weekend work. How do you maintain work-life balance while meeting event demands?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Submitting a generic cover letter that doesn’t mention the Parkinson’s Foundation or their specific events—personalization is key.
  • Overlooking the requirement for Raiser’s Edge experience; if you lack it, emphasize transferable CRM skills and willingness to learn.
  • Failing to demonstrate ability to work remotely and independently—include examples of self-directed projects.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to Parkinson's Foundation!

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